Written Answers Wednesday 3 June 2009

Scottish Executive

Culture

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authorities are operating projects as part of the Youth Music Initiative.

Michael Russell: The Scottish Arts Council have advised me that all thirty two local authorities are operating projects as part of the Youth Music Initiative.

Dairy Industry

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to assist the dairy farming industry.

Richard Lochhead: I was pleased to host Scotland’s first ever Dairy Summit on 27 May in Edinburgh.

  A clear understanding emerged on what Government can and cannot do in a de-regulated market. I announced funding for a dairy carbon foot-printing project and reiterated our support for the early establishment of a supermarket ombudsman, as well as for clearer labelling of food produce to allow consumers make more-informed purchasing decisions.

  A further meeting is planned to take forward some the issues discussed at the summit.

Drug Misuse

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive for how many deaths (a) heroin, (b) ecstasy and (c) amphetamines have been recorded as causes in each year since 1997, broken down by (i) NHS board, (ii) local authority and (iii) parliamentary constituency.

Nicola Sturgeon: Information is not available on the types of drugs which caused deaths but the General Registry Office for Scotland (GROS) publish data annually on the types of drugs involved in deaths. For more detail on this distinction, please refer to the annual GROS publication on drug related deaths via the following link:

  http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/publications-and-data/drug-related-deaths/index.html.

  Individual deaths often involve more than one drug. Tables which show the drugs which were involved in deaths will count each death once for each of the drugs which was found by the pathologists, so the numbers for the different drugs should not be added to give a total.

  (a) Heroin

  A combined figure for heroin/morphine is used because it is believed that, in the overwhelming majority of cases where morphine has been identified in post-mortem toxicological tests, its presence is a result of heroin use.

  Local authority breakdowns for the years 1997-2001 are shown in table A.

  Table A. Drug-Related Deaths Involving Heroin/Morphine, 1997 to 2001

  

 Local Authority
 1997
 1998
 1999
 2000
 2001


 Aberdeen City 
 7
 11
 16
 15
 23


 Aberdeenshire
 2
 3
 8
 3
 5


 Angus
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0


 Argyll and Bute
 0
 0
 0
 2
 1


 Clackmannanshire
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Dumfries and Galloway
 3
 2
 5
 4
 6


 Dundee City 
 1
 0
 1
 1
 4


 East Ayrshire
 0
 0
 2
 2
 4


 East Dunbartonshire 
 1
 2
 1
 4
 2


 East Lothian 
 0
 1
 0
 1
 1


 East Renfrewshire 
 0
 1
 3
 3
 2


 Edinburgh City 
 2
 4
 6
 13
 20


 Eilean Siar
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1


 Falkirk 
 0
 0
 2
 1
 4


 Fife 
 3
 1
 6
 4
 8


 Glasgow City 
 34
 64
 61
 78
 69


 Highland 
 0
 1
 4
 0
 2


 Inverclyde
 4
 8
 9
 11
 10


 Midlothian 
 0
 1
 1
 0
 5


 Moray
 1
 0
 2
 0
 0


 North Ayrshire
 0
 2
 2
 7
 11


 North Lanarkshire 
 4
 7
 8
 14
 7


 Orkney Islands
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Perth and Kinross
 0
 0
 0
 3
 1


 Renfrewshire
 2
 6
 9
 8
 3


 Scottish Borders
 1
 0
 0
 1
 1


 Shetland Islands
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 South Ayrshire
 2
 0
 3
 5
 6


 South Lanarkshire 
 3
 5
 13
 7
 14


 Stirling 
 1
 0
 2
 3
 0


 West Dunbartonshire 
 2
 1
 2
 4
 3


 West Lothian 
 1
 1
 1
 1
 3


 All Scotland
 74
 121
 167
 196
 216



  Source: GROS.

  Local authority breakdowns for 2002-06 are available from the annual publications of Drug Misuse Statistics Scotland via the following link:

  http://www.drugmisuse.isdscotland.org/publications/abstracts/ISDbull.htm.

  Local authority breakdowns for 2007 and NHS board breakdowns for 1997-2007 are available from the GROS publication:

  http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/publications-and-data/drug-related-deaths/index.html.

  Breakdowns by parliamentary constituency are not available.

  (b) Ecstasy

  Local authority breakdowns for the years 1997-2001 are shown in table B.

  Table B. Drug-Related Deaths Involving Ecstasy, 1997 to 2001

  

 Local Authority
 1997
 1998
 1999
 2000
 2001


 Aberdeen City 
 0
 0
 0
 0
 2


 Aberdeenshire
 0
 0
 0
 1
 2


 Angus
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Argyll and Bute
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Clackmannanshire
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Dumfries and Galloway
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Dundee City
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 East Ayrshire
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 East Dunbartonshire 
 1
 0
 0
 0
 1


 East Lothian 
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0


 East Renfrewshire 
 0
 0
 0
 1
 1


 Edinburgh City 
 0
 0
 0
 1
 3


 Eilean Siar
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0


 Falkirk
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Fife 
 0
 1
 0
 1
 1


 Glasgow City 
 0
 0
 2
 4
 6


 Highland
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Inverclyde
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1


 Midlothian 
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0


 Moray
 0
 0
 2
 1
 0


 North Ayrshire
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1


 North Lanarkshire 
 0
 1
 0
 2
 0


 Orkney Islands
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Perth and Kinross
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Renfrewshire
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Scottish Borders
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Shetland Islands 
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0


 South Ayrshire
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 South Lanarkshire 
 1
 0
 1
 0
 2


 Stirling
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 West Dunbartonshire 
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0


 West Lothian 
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1


 All Scotland
 2
 3
 8
 12
 21



  Source: GROS.

  Local authority breakdowns for 2002-06 are available from the annual publications of Drug Misuse Statistics Scotland via the following link:

  http://www.drugmisuse.isdscotland.org/publications/abstracts/ISDbull.htm.

  Local authority breakdowns for 2007 and NHS board breakdowns for 1997-2007 are available from the GROS publication:

  http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/publications-and-data/drug-related-deaths/index.html.

  Breakdowns by parliamentary constituency are not available.

  (c) Amphetamines

  The GROS and ISD publications do not show the numbers of drug-related deaths involving amphetamines. Table C provides data for 2000 to 2007 broken down by NHS board and local authority. Data are not available for earlier years. Breakdowns by parliamentary constituency are not available.

  Table C. Drug-Related Deaths Involving Amphetamines, 2000 to 2007

  

 
 2000
 2001
 2002
 2003
 2004
 2005
 2006
 2007


 Council
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 Aberdeen City 
 0
 0
 3
 1
 2
 0
 1
 1


 Aberdeenshire
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 2
 0
 1


 Angus
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Argyll and Bute
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Clackmannanshire
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Dumfries and Galloway
 0
 1
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0
 2


 Dundee City 
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0
 1
 0
 1


 East Ayrshire
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0


 East Dunbartonshire 
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0


 East Lothian 
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 East Renfrewshire 
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Edinburgh City 
 0
 0
 0
 1
 1
 1
 1
 0


 Eilean Siar
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Falkirk 
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1
 1


 Fife 
 1
 0
 0
 0
 1
 1
 0
 0


 Glasgow City 
 0
 0
 2
 3
 5
 1
 2
 1


 Highland 
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0
 1


 Inverclyde
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 3
 0
 0


 Midlothian 
 1
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Moray
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 North Ayrshire
 0
 2
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 North Lanarkshire 
 0
 0
 3
 1
 0
 1
 1
 1


 Orkney Islands 
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0


 Perth and Kinross
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0


 Renfrewshire
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Scottish Borders
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1


 Shetland Islands 
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 South Ayrshire
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 South Lanarkshire 
 0
 1
 2
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Stirling 
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 2
 0


 West Dunbartonshire 
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1


 West Lothian 
 1
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0


 All Scotland
 3
 5
 13
 10
 10
 11
 11
 11


 Health Board
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 Ayrshire and Arran
 0
 2
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0


 Borders
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1


 Dumfries and Galloway
 0
 1
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0
 2


 Fife 
 1
 0
 0
 0
 1
 1
 0
 0


 Forth Valley 
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 3
 1


 Grampian
 0
 0
 4
 1
 2
 2
 1
 2


 Greater Glasgow and Clyde
 0
 0
 2
 4
 5
 5
 2
 2


 Highland 
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0
 1


 Lanarkshire
 0
 1
 5
 1
 0
 1
 1
 1


 Lothian
 2
 1
 1
 1
 2
 1
 1
 0


 Orkney
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0


 Shetland
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Tayside
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0
 1
 1
 1


 Western Isles
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 All Scotland
 3
 5
 13
 10
 10
 11
 11
 11



  Source: GROS.

Drug Misuse

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that drug services are aware of the reclassification of BZP (also known as herbal ecstasy) and industrial solvent GBL and how to treat people who are using these substances.

Fergus Ewing: The Home Office is currently consulting on the options to control BZP and GBL, including full control as a Class C drug. A decision on reclassification will be made later in the year. We will ensure that drug treatment services, and other stakeholders are then informed of any change in legislation. In the meantime, we are encouraging our stakeholders to respond to the consultation.

  The drug misuse and dependence UK guidelines on clinical management set out how clinicians should treat stimulant users (both BZP and BGL are categorised as stimulants) and we strongly support these guidelines on the basis on which clinicians and other professionals should consider the treatment of patients with drug use problems. We also fund Crew 2000 who have briefed drug action teams on the risks of BZP and GBL and produced an information resource. Following the outcome of the consultation we will consider if further guidance is needed.

Eating Disorders

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many under-18s have been diagnosed with eating disorders in each of the last five years.

Shona Robison: Information which is available on the total number of people aged under 18 diagnosed with an eating disorder (for example, anorexia, bulimia, or other psychological eating disorders) is shown in the following tables.

  Numbers of patients with an eating disorder have been estimated using data from GP practices participating in Practice Team Information (PTI) data collection, see:

  www.isdscotland.org/isd/3729.html.

  Table 1. Estimated Numbers of Patients Aged Under 18 years Consulting a GP or Practice-Employed Nurse for an Eating Disorder in Scotland, Financial Years 2003-04 to 2007-08, Standardised by Age, Sex and Deprivation

  

 Financial Year
 Number


 2003-04
 574


 2004-05
 682


 2005-06
 651


 2006-07
 455


 2007-08
 595



  Table 2. Patients Aged Under 18 Years Discharged from Acute Hospital (Non-Obstetric, Non-Psychiatric) With Any Diagnosis of Eating Disorder, Years Ending 31 March 1999 to 2008

  

 Year
 Number


 2004
 29


 2005
 26


 2006
 35


 2007
 33


 2008
 49



  Table 3. Patients Aged Under 18 Years Discharged from Scottish Psychiatric Hospitals With Any Diagnosis of Eating Disorder, Years Ending 31 March 1999 to 2008

  

 Year
 Number


 2004
 19


 2005
 31


 2006
 20


 2007
 23


 2008
 29



  Source: Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland.

Economy

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will estimate the contribution to the Scottish economy of the transfer of all UK nuclear submarines to the Clyde base.

Bruce Crawford: The Scottish Government is not in possession of the data that would allow it to conduct a robust assessment of the impact on the Scottish economy of this decision. For example, in his letter to the First Minister, the Rt Hon Bob Ainsworth MP stated that "the majority of the deep water maintenance work will be undertaken at Devonport with Portsmouth undertaking sufficient work on an occasional basis to ensure that they can address any ‘surge’ requirements" and it is not clear what, if any, the employment impact for Scotland will be following the transfer of the three Trafalgar class submarines, which is not anticipated to take place before 2017.

Education

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to balance the teaching of mathematics and science with the general curricular changes of the Curriculum for Excellence that may be considered to focus more on the teaching of arts and social sciences.

Fiona Hyslop: Breadth and depth are fundamental principles of Curriculum for Excellence. Under the Curriculum for Excellence framework, which has been developed on the basis of unparalleled engagement with the teaching profession and others, all young people are entitled to a broad general education to the end of S3, covering learning in all of the experiences and outcomes to the third level, progressing to the fourth level in many aspects of their learning. Curriculum for Excellence does not focus more on the teaching of art and sciences than other subjects.

Employment

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what support can be given to maintain the 70 jobs threatened with redundancy at RBG Ltd fabricators, which has been based at the Invergordon service base of the Cromarty Firth Port Authority since 2004.

Jim Mather: Highlands and Islands Enterprise, our key economic development agency, has been in recent discussion with RBG Ltd and has arranged further meetings to review the company’s current trading position and to offer any assistance that might be possible.

  Skills Development Scotland, in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, have contacted RBG Fabricators Ltd to offer advice and support through Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE).

  We have continued to invest in PACE to maximise the work the partners can do with employers and employee representatives to minimise job losses but where redundancies do occur partners take action to co-ordinate activities to support people back into employment or training as quickly as possible.

Employment

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs will be (a) created and (b) sustained by the decision to accelerate capital investment.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government has brought forward approximately £350 million of capital spending from 2010-11 into 2008-09 and 2009-10.

  Using the Scottish Government Input Output model of the Scottish economy, it is estimated that this expenditure will support approximately 5,100 jobs in the Scottish economy over this period. The number of jobs created relative to the number of jobs sustained will depend upon the individual employment decisions taken by companies benefiting from projects undertaken as a result of the capital acceleration.

Employment

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs in the (a) public and (b) private sector will be created or sustained by the decision to accelerate capital investment.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government has brought forward approximately £350 million of capital spending from 2010-11 into 2008-09 and 2009-10.

  Using the Scottish Government Input Output model of the Scottish economy, it is estimated that this expenditure will support approximately 5,100 jobs in the Scottish economy during 2008-09 and 2009-10. Breakdowns by public and private sector are not available.

Energy Conservation

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends formally to respond to the Energy Saving Trust report, Potential for energy efficiency loans for carbon saving measures in Scottish homes .

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government commissioned the Energy Saving Trust’s report, Potential for energy efficiency loans for carbon saving measures in Scottish homes, to explore whether a domestic loan scheme would have any potential in Scotland to significantly reduce carbon emissions from housing.

  We are now undertaking development work and will make an announcement later in the year.

Enterprise

Andy Kerr (East Kilbride) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how Scottish Enterprise unitary charge payments will be funded and from what budget they are to be drawn down.

Jim Mather: Funding of unitary charge payments is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I will ask its chief executive to write to you in this regard.

Environment

Michael Matheson (Falkirk West) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what statutory powers are available to local authorities in preventing damage to the local environment.

Roseanna Cunningham: There is a wide range of legislation and statutory powers available to local authorities to prevent and abate damage to the local environment.

  This includes the Statutory Nuisance provisions within the Environmental Protection Act 1990 together with various EU obligations. The statutory planning system also has a role to play.

Fair Trade

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage the promotion of fair trade products in schools.

Adam Ingram: The Scottish Government remains committed to helping Scotland become a Fair Trade nation by channelling its support through the Scottish Fair Trade Forum, who receive funding of £60,000 a year for three years until 31 March 2010. We would also encourage local authorities to use fair trade products in schools where possible.

  Under the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007, local authorities have a duty to have regard to guidance issued by Scottish ministers on the application of the principles of sustainable development when providing food or drink or catering services in schools. The guidance contains advice on various sustainable development issues, including fair trade and local sourcing, and how to pursue these various issues whilst staying within EU procurement law. The guidance is currently under review.

Finance

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on how many free-to-use cash machines there have been in each year since 1999, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government does not hold this information. This is a reserved matter and we have no functions in relation to the selected areas or target numbers for free-to-use cash machines.

Finance

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it accepts that the "new definition of a baseline budget" that the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth referred to in evidence to the Finance Committee on 19 May 2009 ( Official Report c. 1308), refers to the term "baseline" as set out in the UK Treasury’s Funding the Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales and Northern Ireland Assembly: Statement of Funding Policy, which states at page 43 that spending changes are added to or subtracted from each country’s overall baseline.

John Swinney: Expenditure baselines are set by HM Treasury following spending reviews. Scottish baselines are set by applying changes, calculated by formula, consequential on changes to corresponding Whitehall Departments’ baselines. Baselines are set for a three-year period - following the 2007 Spending Review, baselines were set for the three years to 2010-11. These arrangements are confirmed in the Statement of Funding Policy to which the question refers.

  Budgets for individual years can be adjusted without changing underlying expenditure baselines, for example to reflect draw-down of unspent end-year flexibility balances from previous years.

  Baselines may be changed by Treasury between spending reviews - for example, the Chancellor’s pre-Budget Report in November 2008 announced a £129 million reduction in the Scottish baseline for 2010-11 as a formula consequential of reductions made to the Department of Health’s baseline. In addition, the UK Budget on 22 April announced a £392 million reduction in the Scottish baseline for the same year, as a formula consequential of so-called "efficiency savings" in Whitehall.

  By definition, the Scottish Government cannot change its own expenditure baselines.

Finance

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what financial allocations it is making to the third sector for 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12.

John Swinney: The Scottish Budget Spending Review 2007 outlined our spending plans for the Third Sector, investing £93.6 million over the three-year period (£23.2 million, £32.2 million, £38.2 million) from April 2008 to March 2011. Since the 2007 review report was published, HM Treasury has reduced overall resources available to Scotland in 2010-11.

  The annual Budget Bill confirms the allocation of expenditure in each year. A draft budget for 2010-11 will be presented to Parliament in September of this year. Expenditure plans post-March 2011 are subject to the next Strategic Spending Review.

Health

Angela Constance (Livingston) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the theatre utilisation is of all hospitals with theatre capacity.

Nicola Sturgeon: The following table shows the total number of operating theatres by hospital site (excluding maternity), the total number of hours operating theatres at each site were in use per week, and the average number of operating hours per theatre per week.

  This data is publicly available and is published by the Information Services Division (ISD) and is available at www.isd.org.uk.

  

 
 
 
 Theatres
 Total Operating Hours
 Average Operating Hours Per Theatre


 Total/Average
 
 
 3271
 8,2742
 253


 West Hospitals4
 G
 A1
 19
 385
 20


 Glasgow Royal 
 G
 A1
 21
 465
 22


 Edinburgh Royal 
 S
 A1
 21
 718
 34


 Aberdeen Royal 
 N
 A1
 23
 669
 29


 Ninewells
 T
 A1
 18
 655
 36


 Western General, Edinburgh
 S
 A1
 11
 327
 30


 Southern General (SGH)
 G
 A2
 19
 422
 22


 Royal Alexandra Hospital
 G
 A2
 12
 215
 18


 Crosshouse Hospital
 A
 A2
 17
 390
 23


 Wishaw General
 L
 A2
 11
 242
 22


 Stirling Royal Infirmary
 V
 A2
 8
 177
 22


 Raigmore, Inverness
 H
 A2
 9
 335
 37


 Monklands Hospital
 L
 A2
 9
 250
 28


 Queen Margaret Hospital
 F
 A2
 9
 248
 28


 Hairmyres, East Kilbride
 L
 A2
 8
 250
 31


 St. John's at Howden
 S
 A2
 13
 274
 21


 Inverclyde Royal Hospital
 G
 A2
 6
 94
 16


 Stobhill, Glasgow
 G
 A2
 9
 117
 13


 Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow
 G
 A2
 8
 99
 12


 Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary
 Y
 A2
 8
 260
 32


 The Ayr Hospital
 A
 A2
 9
 296
 33


 Perth Royal Infirmary
 T
 A2
 8
 215
 27


 Borders General
 B
 A2
 6
 125
 21


 Victoria Kirkcaldy
 F
 A2
 6
 151
 25


 Falkirk Royal Infirmary
 V
 A2
 5
 89
 18


 Dr. Gray's, Elgin
 N
 A3
 5
 91
 18


 Vale of Leven, Alexandria
 G
 A3
 2
 21
 11


 Western Isles, Stornoway
 W
 A3
 2
 79
 40


 Caithness General
 H
 A3
 1
 24
 24


 Balfour, Kirkwall
 R
 A3
 1
 28
 28


 Belford
 H
 A3
 1
 25
 25


 Gilbert Bain, Lerwick
 Z
 A3
 2
 29
 15


 Galloway Community Hospital
 Y
 A3
 1
 19
 19


 Stracathro
 T
 A3
 3
 55
 18


 Mackinnon Memorial
 H
 A3
 1
 2
 2


 RHSC, Yorkhill
 G
 A4
 7
 238
 34


 RHSC, Edinburgh
 S
 A4
 5
 144
 29


 Royal Aberdeen Children's
 N
 A4
 3
 48
 16



  Notes:

  1. Total number of operating theatres - excludes maternity hospitals.

  2. Total number of operating hours per week - this is the total number of hours that all theatres at the site were actually in use per week.

  3. Average number of operating hours per theatre per week - this figure is derived by dividing the total number of operating hours in column 2 by the number of theatres in column 1.

  4. Combined data for the Western Infirmary and Garnavel General, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Health

Angela Constance (Livingston) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average rate of theatre utilisation is in each NHS board.

Nicola Sturgeon: The following table shows average theatre utilisation (including maternity) by NHS board area for financial year 2007-08.

  This data is publicly available and is published by the Information Services Division (ISD) at www.isdscotland.org.

  More detailed information about theatre utilisation can also be found on the ISD website in the Scottish Health Service Costs Book section.

  

 Totals or Averages
 3481
 8,7232
 253


 NHS Ayrshire and Arran
 26
 686
 26


 NHS Borders
 6
 125
 21


 Golden Jubilee
 10
 201
 20


 NHS Fife
 17
 449
 26


 NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
 103
 2,057
 20


 NHS Highland
 13
 387
 30


 NHS Lanarkshire
 28
 743
 27


 NHS Grampian
 37
 979
 26


 NHS Orkney
 1
 28
 28


 NHS Lothian
 52
 1,491
 29


 NHS Tayside
 29
 926
 32


 NHS Forth Valley
 13
 266
 20


 NHS Western Isles
 2
 79
 40


 NHS Dumfries and Galloway
 9
 279
 31


 NHS Shetland
 2
 29
 15



  Notes:

  1. Total number of operating theatres including maternity.

  2. Total number of operating hours per week – this is the total number of hours that all theatres in the NHS board area were actually in use per week.

  3. Average number of operating hours per theatre per week for each NHS board – this figure is derived by dividing the figure at column two, number of hours theatres actually in use by the figure at column one, and total number of operating theatres.

Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of Lyme’s disease have been recorded in each of the last 10 years, broken down by NHS board.

Shona Robison: In Scotland the surveillance of Lyme disease is based on laboratory confirmed reports to Health Protection Scotland (HPS) of Borrelia burgdorferi (the organism that causes Lyme disease). Most reports come from the national Lyme borreliosis testing laboratory at the microbiology department at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, although a few other diagnostic laboratories also submit reports.

  The breakdown by NHS board of cases of Lyme’s disease from 1999 to 2008 is as follows:

  Laboratory Reports of Borrelia burgdorferi by NHS Board of Reporting Laboratory

  

 
 1999
 2000
 2001
 2002
 2003
 2004
 2005
 2006
 2007
 2008*


 Ayrshire and Arran
 0
 2
 1
 0
 0
 0
 1
 2
 3
 8


 Argyll and Clyde
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0
 N/A
 N/A


 Borders
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0
 3
 4
 1


 Dumfries and Galloway
 0
 3
 2
 2
 1
 1
 1
 7
 10
 6


 Fife
 1
 0
 0
 3
 4
 1
 6
 10
 5
 12


 Greater Glasgow and Clyde
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 13
 14


 Greater Glasgow
 1
 5
 2
 3
 5
 8
 11
 14
 3
 0


 Grampian
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Highland
 1
 21
 15
 26
 32
 51
 60
 89
 150
 154


 Lanarkshire
 0
 0
 0
 1
 1
 1
 0
 1
 4
 1


 Lothian
 0
 3
 1
 4
 3
 9
 5
 3
 4
 2


 Orkney
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1


 Tayside
 0
 3
 7
 45
 33
 13
 9
 40
 35
 85


 Western Isles
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0
 1
 3
 2
 1
 1


 Scotland
 3
 37
 28
 85
 81
 86
 96
 171
 232
 285



  *Provisional.

  Notes:

  The information in the table was supplied by Health Protection Scotland.

  This data should be interpreted with caution as they record the NHS board of the reporting laboratory – not necessarily the NHS board of residence of the case, nor the place where the infection was believed to be acquired.

  It should also be noted that on 1 April 2006 Argyll and Clyde Health Board was dissolved and data were divided between the newly designated Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board and Highland NHS Board.

Health

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many children have been treated for (a) tobacco addiction and (b) tobacco-related illnesses in each of the last five years in each hospital in the Lothians region.

Nicola Sturgeon: Patients could be treated for tobacco-related illness in different hospital settings including accident and emergency (A&E), outpatients and acute inpatients and day cases. Information on A&E attendances and outpatients is not available as diagnosis information is not recorded on centrally held data. Limited information is available on inpatients and day cases.

  It is not possible from centrally available hospital data to explicitly identify patients who have been treated for tobacco addiction. There are a number of conditions (e.g. lung disease) which could be tobacco-related, but these could also be caused by other factors and would not present a reliable picture of tobacco misuse.

  The following table presents the number of discharges for patients aged 15 and under for conditions which specifically mention tobacco. It is not possible to provide data separately for individual years or broken down by hospital because of the risk of disclosure.

  Table 1. Number of Patients Aged 15 Years or Under, Discharged From General Acute Hospitals1,2 Within NHS Lothian Area of Treatment With a Tobacco-Related Illness3,4 In Any Position: 2003-04 – 2007-08

  

 
 2003-04 - 2007-08


 Lothian health board of treatment
 11



  Source: ISD Scotland (SMR01), Ref: 2009-01239.

  Notes:

  1. Excludes mental illness hospitals, psychiatric units and maternity hospitals. Transfers have also been excluded.

  2. Figures in the table only relate to those individuals who are treated as inpatients. They do not include individuals managed as outpatients or individuals attending A&E who are not subsequently admitted.

  3. Caution is necessary when interpreting these figures. The recording of tobacco misuse may vary from hospital-to-hospital. Where tobacco misuse is suspected but unconfirmed it may not be recorded by the hospital.

  4. Diseases recorded using the World Health Organisation’s International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD10). Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of tobacco (F17), toxic effect of tobacco and nicotine (T65.2).

Health

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-22940 by Nicola Sturgeon on 6 May 2009, how the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) is independent of the Scottish Government given the answer to question S3W-22941 by Nicola Sturgeon on 6 May 2009, which states that HEI will be accountable to report to Scottish ministers through the board of NHS Quality Improvement Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon: As indicated in response to question S3W-22940, the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) operates independently of the Scottish Government and NHS boards which it will inspect but for administrative purposes is based within NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS). The HEI will be accountable to Scottish ministers through the board of NHS QIS as a means of ensuring its reports and recommendations for improvement are taken forward and fully implemented.

Health

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-22911 by Nicola Sturgeon on 6 May 2009, when the new chief executive of the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate will take up the post.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Chief Inspector of the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate will take up post subject to formal completion of the appointment process and the period of notice which will be required by the successful candidate’s current employer. Negotiations are currently underway with the successful candidate’s current employer to secure as early a release date as possible.

Health

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussion the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing has had with NHS Lothian regarding the shelving of rezoning plans for Edinburgh and West Lothian.

Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Lothian has assured me that it has not shelved its plans to review the catchment zones for emergency medical admissions.

  I have been advised that the Board is now working with council partners and transport colleagues to ensure there is equitable access to public transport and social services. The rezoning plans will be implemented once these issues are addressed.

Healthcare Associated Infections

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when data on healthcare associated infections, including Clostridium difficile, broken down by hospital, will be publicly available online.

Nicola Sturgeon: Since January 2009, all NHS boards have been required to publish data on their websites on hospital-by-hospital performance on Clostridium difficile and other key Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) data, and to discuss the findings at board meetings. The HAI Task Force website has also been developed to act as a portal through which the public can access the information for each NHS board area. The link can be accessed at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/NHS-Scotland/19529/statistics.

  The HAI information on NHS board websites will evolve over time as local surveillance systems become more robust and the presentation of data becomes further refined.

Housing

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Glasgow Housing Association (Management) will retain factoring responsibility for domestic properties, previously owned by Glasgow Housing Association, following second stage transfer.

Alex Neil: Glasgow Housing Association will remain as factor following Second Stage Transfer in respect of any factored block unless and until a proprietors’ meeting is called and a vote is taken in respect of appointing a new factor.

  As part of the arrangements for Second Stage Transfer, purchasers are asked their intentions regarding a potential change of factor as part of the business planning process. Of 31 proposed transfers, 27 have indicated that they would wish to become factor following a successful Second Stage Transfer. As a consequence, a number of factored blocks have changed factor to a new purchasing Registered Social Landlord.

Justice

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many trainee police officers are being given on-the-job training rather than the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan programme and for what proportion of their course.

Kenny MacAskill: All police officers in Scotland attend the nationally approved and accredited Probationer Training Programme delivered at the Scottish Police College.

  Police forces provide on-the-job training in addition to the Probationer Training Programme at the College. This training is a matter for individual forces.

Justice

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were (a) arrested, (b) charged, (c) prosecuted, (d) found guilty and (e) given a custodial sentence in cases involving (i) domestic violence, (ii) rape, (iii) violence against the person and (iv) burglary in the Lothian and Borders police force area in each year since 1999.

The Executive has supplied the following corrected answer:

Kenny MacAskill: Data on numbers of arrests and charges are not held centrally. The recorded crime statistics held centrally do not contain information about the details of a crime, for instance the relationship between the victim and the accused for crimes of violence. The available information on recorded crime and on prosecutions and convictions is given in the following tables. Information in relation to prosecutions arising from incidents of domestic violence is not separately identifiable in the available statistics.

  The statistics dealing with recorded crime and court proceedings are not directly comparable as a person may be proceeded against for more than one crime involving more than one victim and there is the possibility that the crime recorded by the police may be altered in the course of judicial proceedings. A crime may be recorded by the police in one year and court proceedings concluded in a subsequent year. Crimes committed by children aged under 16 are also generally dealt with through the children’s hearings system rather than the courts.

  Number of Domestic Abuse, Rape, Crimes of Violence and Housebreaking Recorded by the Police in the Lothian and Borders Police Force Area, 1999-2000 to 2007-08

  

 
1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08


Domestic Abuse:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Total incidents 
6,914
6,939
6,682
7,164
7,576
7,836
8,624
9,616
8,966


Total crimes and offences
3,030
2,483
2,031
2,240
2,407
2,584
2,714
3,130
3,196


(Of which reported to the procurator fiscal)
1,782
1,705
1,350
1,547
1,564
1,939
2,090
2,384
2,409


Rape
91
130
138
173
181
240
220
203
170


Crimes of violence1
2,751
2,809
2,685
3,110
2,856
2,736
2,588
2,869
2,644


Housebreaking2
7,754
6,206
6,184
5,864
6,280
6,141
6,677
5,854
5,405



  Source: Justice Analytical Services, Scottish Government.

  Notes:

  1. Includes group 1 crimes of violence (minus robbery), as well as the group 4 crime of reckless driving at common law and the group 5 crimes involving possession/restriction of offensive weapons.

  2. Includes dwellings, non-dwellings and other premises.

  Persons Proceeded Against in Scottish Courts for Crimes of Domestic Abuse, Rape, Crimes of Violence, Housebreaking in Lothian and Borders police Force Area, 1999-2000 to 2007-08

  

 Crimes
 1999-2000
 2000-01
 2001-02
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08


 Domestic Abuse1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 Proceeded against
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 598
 747
 693


 Charge Proved
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 553
 666
 635


 Custodial 
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 46
 63
 64


 Rape2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 Proceeded against
 13
 14
 19
 15
 19
 21
 13
 14
 17


 Charge Proved
 7
 9
 12
 8
 9
 11
 3
 7
 5


 Custodial 
 7
 8
 10
 7
 8
 10
 3
 7
 5


 Crimes of violence2,3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 Proceeded against
 464
 560
 587
 760
 750
 714
 700
 846
 800


 Charge Proved
 368
 465
 475
 607
 612
 575
 568
 665
 656


 Custodial 
 127
 188
 140
 207
 213
 200
 174
 226
 217


 Housebreaking2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 Proceeded against
 402
 404
 400
 486
 412
 376
 364
 395
 411


 Charge Proved
 354
 357
 352
 425
 359
 334
 325
 344
 354


 Custodial 
 158
 175
 193
 206
 176
 157
 137
 167
 163



  Source: Justice Analytical Services, Scottish Government.

  Notes:

  1. Includes all persons where a domestic abuse aggravator has been recorded against the main offence. Where the main offence was rape, crimes of violence or housebreaking they will also be included in the figures for the specific crime category in the remainder of the table. 2005-06 is the first year where it has been considered that the use and recording of domestic abuse aggravator codes from the Scottish Government Court Proceedings Database has been of sufficient coverage to be used.

  2. Where main offence. The figures for persons proceeded against may exclude some acquittals due to recording delays.

  3. Includes group 1 crimes of violence (minus robbery), as well as the group 4 crime of reckless driving at common law and the group 5 crimes of handling and possession of offensive weapons.

Justice

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were prosecuted for handling an offensive weapon in 2007-08, broken down by (a) main penalty and (b) police force area.

Kenny MacAskill: The available information is given in the following table.

  Persons Proceeded Against in Scottish Courts for Handling an Offensive Weapon1 2, by Force and Main Result, for Financial Year 2007-08

  

 Police Force Area
 Custody
 Community Sentence
 Monetary
Charge Proved- Other4
 Not Guilty
 Total Proceeded Against


 Central 
 25
 49
 33
 25
 33
 165


 Dumfries and Galloway
 20
 38
 15
 8
 8
 89


 Fife 
 31
 47
 32
 12
 21
 143


 Grampian 
 29
 56
 57
 20
 22
 184


 Lothian and Borders 
 87
 78
 142
 47
 63
 417


 Northern 
 26
 27
 30
 11
 23
 117


 Strathclyde 
 714
 738
 590
 246
 413
 2,701


 Tayside 
 59
 79
 29
 18
 39
 224


 Scotland3
 991
 1,112
 928
 387
 623
 4,041



  Notes:

  1. Where main offence.

  2. Handling an offensive weapon covers the crime categories possession of an offensive weapon, restriction of an offensive weapon, and having in a public place an article with a blade or point.

  3. Contains one not guilty case where the police force is unknown.

  4. Including caution, admonition, absolute discharge and remit to children’s hearing.

Less Favoured Areas

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are upper or lower limits on the area of a croft or farm unit eligible for support under the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme and, if so, what these limits are; when they were introduced, and for what reasons.

Roseanna Cunningham: There are currently no upper limits. There is a three hectare minimum qualifying limit which applies to all LFASS applicants. This provision on a minimum defined area of land complies with article 14.2 of the EU Rural Development Regulation 1257/1999. The three hectare limit has been used since the early 1990s under the predecessor scheme of Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances.

Mental Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will respond to the recommendations contained in the Audit Scotland report, Overview of mental health services .

Shona Robison: We have welcomed the Audit Scotland report, which gives a fair summary of the progress that has been made in improving mental health services in Scotland. The report recognises the strong support from stakeholders for the Scottish Government’s policies, and the commitment we have given to change.

  We are aware of the issues raised and recommendations made in the report and have already been taking action in particular on the integration of services, improving information, developing the workforce and reducing waiting times for child and adolescent services and psychological therapies.

Prison Service

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive on what date the Cabinet Secretary for Justice wrote to the chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service in relation to prisoner Brian Martin having absconded from the Castle Huntly open prison.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to reply. His response is as follows:

  "The Cabinet Secretary for Justice wrote to the Scottish Prison Service on 20 May 2009 regarding the abscond of Brian Martin."

Residential Care

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in respect of the liable relative rule for charging for residential care.

Shona Robison: The liable relative rule allowed local authorities to demand a contribution from the spouse or parent of care home residents. The rule has long been unpopular and in May 2004, following consultation, Scottish ministers announced their intention to abolish the rule at the first opportunity. That opportunity arose with the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 and the rule was abolished on 5 October 2007.

Scottish Government Funding

Andy Kerr (East Kilbride) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the announced £14 billion for capital investment over the three years from March 2008 has been allocated to directorates to fund a range of projects and, if so, which directorates and projects will benefit.

John Swinney: I refer the member to the Scottish Government’s Infrastructure Investment Plan  (Bib. number 45134) which was published on 27 March 2008 following the outcome of the 2007 Spending Review. The plan can be found at the following link:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/03/28122237/0.

Scottish Government Funding

Andy Kerr (East Kilbride) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the capital settlement of £3 billion over three years associated with its concordat with local government is included in the announced £14 billion for capital investment over three years from March 2008.

John Swinney: Yes.

Scottish Government Staff

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-20559 by Stewart Stevenson on 2 March 2009, what progress has been made in implementing and promoting the Cycle to Work Scheme for Scottish Government staff.

John Swinney: A Cycle to Work Scheme for core Scottish Government staff was introduced on 4 March 2009. Two windows for applications were agreed for the first year: 4 March to 3 April 2009, and September 2009.

  In the first application window, 71 staff applied under the scheme.

  The Cycle to Work Scheme was promoted to Scottish Government staff before and during the first application window, and will be actively promoted again during Bike Week in June 2009 and prior to the next window in September. A dedicated website for the scheme has been created to provide information and guidance, and a number of news articles have been published. A Bicycle User Group forum is also available to Scottish Government staff to discuss the scheme.

Scottish Legal Complaints Commission

Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-23606 by Kenny MacAskill on 11 May 2009, whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) a copy of the consultation carried out in accordance with section 32 of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007.

Kenny MacAskill: Under Section 32 (1) of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission is required to publish its rules and make them available to the public in a form that is readily accessible. There is no requirement under the Act for the consultation to be published and there is no intention to place it in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Scottish Legal Complaints Commission

Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-23606 by Kenny MacAskill on 11 May 2009, when the consultation carried out in accordance with section 32 of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 will be published on the website of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission.

Kenny MacAskill: Under Section 32 (5) of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission is required to consult various parties before publishing its rules. There is no requirement under the Act for the consultation to be published. The rules have been published in accordance with Section 32 (1) of the Act and are available on:

  http://www.scottishlegalcomplaints.org.uk.

Scottish Legal Complaints Commission

Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the progress being made by the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission to publicise the outcomes of its consultations.

Kenny MacAskill: Under Section 29 (8) of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) is required to publicise the responses to its consultation with the professional organisations relating to its budget by 31 March each year. The responses from the Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates were published on the SLCC’s website ( www.scottishlegalcomplaints.org.uk ) at the beginning of March 2009 and the finalised budget, which was laid in Parliament on 8 April 2009, was also published on the SLCC’s website.

  Under Section 32 (1) of the Act the commission must publish rules as to its practice and procedure following consultation with various parties named at Section 31 (5) of the Act. The rules are available on the SLCC’s website.

Scottish Legal Complaints Commission

Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the progress being made to establish the website of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission.

Kenny MacAskill: The website of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission is fully operational and can be located at www.scottishlegalcomplaints.org.uk . The website is constantly under review and further adjustments are expected to be completed by the autumn.

Scottish Legal Complaints Committee

Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission carried out a consultation in January 2009 under section 29(4) of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 and, if so, when a copy of that consultation will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).

Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) consulted the relevant parties under Section 29 (4) of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 in January 2009. There is no requirement under the Act for a copy of the consultation to be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. The finalised budget was laid in Parliament in April 2009 in accordance with Section 29 (10) of the Act.

Sectarianism

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-23453 by Keith Brown on 15 May 2009, how much of the £23 billion is to be spent on anti-sectarianism projects in schools in the period 2008 to 2010, broken down by local authority.

Keith Brown: This is a matter for local authorities. The information requested is not held centrally.

Sectarianism

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-23453 by Keith Brown on 15 May 2009, whether it will reinstate funding for anti-sectarianism projects in schools in the 2009-10 academic year.

Keith Brown MSP: The Scottish Government is investing record levels of funding in local government, £23 billion for the period 2008-10, to enable education authorities to respond appropriately to their own local needs and priorities.

  Within the context of the new working relationship between Scottish and local government, future funding of anti-sectarianism projects in schools will be a matter for local authorities to determine.

Sectarianism

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to encourage twinning of denominational and non-denominational schools in the 2009-10 academic year.

Keith Brown: The Scottish Government has published guidance promoting twinning arrangements between such schools and encouraging the resultant links between pupils and communities. Examples of good practice in twinning are shared through the anti-sectarian website, Don’t Give It, Don’t Take It at: http://ltscotland.org.uk/antisectarian.

Sport

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received an application from Aberdeen City Council for funding from sportscotland’s Building for Sport programme.

Shona Robison: All applications for funding from sportscotland to support the development of facilities would be made direct to sportscotland on the appropriate application form and not the Scottish Government.

Sport

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met officials from Aberdeen City Council to discuss the proposals for a 50-metre swimming pool.

Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-4790 on 9 October 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Swimming Pools

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what commitment it has given to the proposed 50-metre swimming pool in Aberdeen.

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has given a funding commitment to Aberdeen City Council in respect of the proposed 50-metre swimming pool and, if so, whether it is subject to any conditions.

Shona Robison: As announced by the Scottish Government on 18 April 2008, £5 million will be allocated to Aberdeen City Council for its proposal for a 50-metre swimming pool, subject to a detailed, affordable business plan coming forward. A formal application to sportscotland for funding will need to be made.

Teachers

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the report in The Herald on 19 May 2009 on nursery teachers, what is meant by "sustained peripatetic support that contributes positively to the learning experience for children".

Adam Ingram: "Sustained peripatetic support that contributes positively to the learning experience for children" means consistent support from a teacher which is maintained over time is more likely to bring benefits to children’s learning experiences.

Teachers

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the report in The Herald on 19 May 2009 on nursery teachers, what it meant by "Occasional or ad-hoc support from a teacher".

Adam Ingram: "Occasional or ad-hoc support from a teacher" means support from a teacher on a non regular basis.